Iraola Says Liverpool Took ‘a Step Backwards’ in Draw Against Fulham

Andoni Iraola shifted the focus to Liverpool's forwards after a flat goalless draw with Fulham in the Premier League. The head coach admitted his side took 'a step backwards' and argued that the pressing from the front line is decisive if his system is to click.

• Iraola admits Liverpool took 'a step backwards' in the goalless draw against Fulham.
• The coach blames forward pressing, not just the midfield, for the team's sluggish display.
• Gravenberch and Szoboszlai lost most of their individual duels in the middle of the park.
• Rotation up front is expected for the Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham.
• Mamardashvili will start in goal instead of Alisson.

Forward Pressing as the Key to Iraola's System

The central midfield pairing of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai struggled against Fulham. The Dutchman won two of five duels, while the Hungarian claimed just one of nine. Still, Iraola believes the analysis should not stop in midfield: for him, the problems start with Liverpool's pressing in the final third.

The head coach explained that when the team has performed well collectively, the midfielders have looked far better and recovered more balls. It is not about them winning duels on their own, he said, but about receiving enough help to reach those challenges in stronger positions.

If the ones up front do their job very well, then the defenders and midfielders look good. It isn't about changing this player for that player. That's the help we have to give to our defenders and midfielders so everyone looks better and are in better positions.

What Went Wrong Against Fulham at Anfield

Iraola highlighted a clear difference compared to previous matches: Liverpool won the ball much closer to their own goal. That forced them to attack against eleven organised defenders and limited their chances to cause damage in space. The only big chance they conceded, he said, came after a botched goal-kick, but the real issue lay in where they recovered possession.

The coach's plan is built around winning the ball as high as possible to exploit quick transitions and attack with fewer defenders ahead. That detail is central to his model: the higher the recovery, the easier the attacking side becomes and the more one-on-one situations the team generates.

Expected Rotation for the Carabao Cup Clash with Tottenham

Liverpool host Tottenham on Tuesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup, and Iraola is unlikely to field the same attacking line he used against Fulham. Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Víctor Muñoz could make way for fresh legs in a knockout match that invites rotation.

In midfield, Trey Nyoni is pushing for a starting role. Iraola also confirmed that Georgi Mamardashvili will replace Alisson in goal. The coach knew the Georgian well from his time at Bournemouth, where he had already tried to sign him.

The Draw That Slows Liverpool Down in the Premier League

The result against Fulham was Liverpool's third draw in their last four Premier League matches. A lack of bite up front and the difficulty of imposing an effective high press are starting to cost them in the table. Far from making excuses, Iraola accepted that his team fell short of its own standard.

His message was clear: the defensive performance and that of the midfield depend heavily on what the forwards do without the ball. If the first line does not stay aggressive, defenders are left exposed to constant one-on-one battles and midfielders get overrun. Improvement, therefore, must begin with the press rather than the names on the teamsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iraola's Comments